Hulslander
lubricated tapping



June 20, 1967 w. HULSLANDER Re. 26,224

LUBRICATED TAPPING T 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Nov. 15

mvemon.

SUM 0H W/ZIMM 1, Mil

June 20, 1967 w. L. HULSLANDER Re. 26,224

LUBRI CATED TAPPING T Original Filed Nov. 15, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 jgiyA ITOEA/E K June 20, 1967 w. L HULSLANDER Re. 26,224

LUBRICATED TAPPING T Original Filed Nov. 15, 1 6 5 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR w/u. MM L HULSL Ali/DER A TmR/VEY United States Patent 26,224LUBRICATED TAPPING T William L. Hulslander, Bradford, Pa., assignor toDresser Industries, Inc., Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Dela- Matterenclosed in heavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms nopart of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicatesthe additions made by reissue.

The present invention relates to tapping T5 and is concerned primarilywith the penetrating tool which is an essential element of such a T.

A tapping T of the type with which this invention is concerned isordinarily utilized in conjunction with a gas main. It comprises a Tbody that is mounted on the main in any approved manner such as bywelding and has a vertical passageway or bore extending therethrough.Communicating with this bore is a lateral passage or house outlet. Thislateral outlet in etiect divides the bore into two portions. Apenentrating tool having a body portion of maximum diameter isthreadedly mounted in the upper portion of the bore and has a reducedpentrating end portion which passes through the lower portion of thebore to engage and penetrate the main. After penetration, the tool isadapted to be retracted to leave the house outlet open and remain in theupper portion of the bore where it functions as a closure. The primaryobjective of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedpenetrating tool.

The gas industry now recognizes that it is extremely desirable to cut aslug or coupon from the main in contrast to chips or shavings whichwould inevitably fall into the main. Moreover, this invention is foundedon the basic concept of achieving the desideratum of retaining the slugor coupon in the tool so that it is withdrawn from the main as the toolis retracted.

The penetrating action of the tool is a direct function of the rotarymotion that is imparted thereto in carrying out the screwing operation.It is also extremely desirable that this operation be carried out undera minimum torque condition.

With the foregoing factors in mind, the present invention has in view asan important objective, the provision of a penetrating tool of thecharacter indicated having a reduced, hollow penetrating end ofnon-circular shape and which is made of a material having the propertyof yield ability whereby the non-circular end portion is susceptible ofdeformation during the cutting operation after which it acquires a setto cause it to retain the slug. This noncircular formation may be anovate shape which is of course, determined by major and minor axes.

Still another objective of the invention is to provide a tool of thecharacter indicated having a penetrating end portion that is taperedexternally towards the cutting edge. This taper cooperates with theovate shape in achieving the desired cutting action and attendantretention of the slug.

Still another highly important objective of the invention is to providea penetrating tool of the character indicated which has a new andimproved cutting edge and which cutting edge is adapted for use with theovate tapered end portion. In accordance with this invention, the end ofthe tool is formed with four cutting edges that are angularly spacedapart 90. These cutting edges are preferably related with respect to themajor and minor axis and are angularly spaced 45 therefrom. The cuttingedges are defined by outer ground surfaces at on Re. 26,224 ReissuedJune 20, 1967 "ice appropriate angle with respect to the axis of thetool. Moreover, each cutting edge is disposed at an angel with respectto a line that is comparable to a radius. The angle is directed so thatthe edge forces the material of the main that is to be removed inwardlyrather than outwardly.

Yet another important objective of the invention is to provide apenetrating tool of the character foresaid which includes a lubricatingsystem. This system comprises the socket which defines the hollow endand a radial passage located at the closed end of the socket and on theminor axis of the ovate shape. This passage communicates between thesocket and the exterior of the penetrating end portion. The socket ispacked with a lubricant having a required viscosity for retaining it inposition and during the inital stages of the cuttng operation some ofthe lubricant will be extruded through the notches defining the cuttingedges. At the same time, some of the lubricant may be extruded throughthe passage. During the later stages of the operation, the notches willbe closed and the lubricant will be extruded through the passage alone.Due to the fact that the passage is located on the minor axis, therewill always be space on the outside to receive the extruded lubricant.This extrusion of the lubricant is caused by the cut slug whichfunctions as a piston. Were it not for the passage. it would beliterally impossible for the slug to enter the bore of the tool.

A penetrating too] made in accordance with the above noted objectivesmay be operated at extremely low torque to cut the slug in the main andthis slug will have a lip that is no greater in diameter than the holethat is formed in the main. Thus with the slug retained in the tool, itmay be withdrawn from the formed hole. Moreover, due to the ovate shape,the yielding property from which the material is made, and the nature ofthe cutting edges, the tool will set about the slug as it is formed andpositively hold the slug in position within the hollow end. The slug isso formed that there is a positive mechanical interlock between thecutting edges and the slug.

Another important advantage which attaches to a tool made in accordancewith the above objectives is that, as the main is penetrated a thin lipor membrane in the shape of a truncated, conic section is formed on theoutside diameter of the pipe. This membrane cooperates with a conicalshoulder on the tool in functioning as a valve seat when the tool isleft in position closing the formed hole in the main.

Various other, more detailed objectives and advances of the inventionsuch as arise in connection with carrying out the above noted ideas inpractical embodiment will in part become apparent and in part behereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention therefore comprises a T including a penetrating toolhaving a threaded main body and a reduced tapered penetrating endportion of non-circular shape made of a yieldahle material and havingfour cutting edges and including a lubricating system.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention referencemay be had to the following description and accompanying drawingswherein:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view through a penetrating T that is made inaccordance with the precepts of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view taken on an enlarged scale partly in section andpartly in elevation of the pool per se.

FIGURE 3 is a view taken in end elevation of the wrench engaging end ofthe tool.

FIGURE 4 is a view in end elevation of the penetrating end of the tool.

FIGURE 5 is a detailed section through the tool at the lubricatingpassage being taken on the plane represented by the line 5-5 of FIGURE2.

FIGURE 6 is a detailed longitudinal section through the pentrating endportion illustrating one of the notches which form the cutting edges.

FIGURE 7 is a detailed elevation of the penetrating end depicting inparticular, the formation of the cutting edges.

FIGURE 8 is a section through the penetrating end portion after the mainhas been penetrated and depicts how the slug is retained in the tool.

FIGURE 9 is a view in end elevation taken on an enlarged scale,depicting the bevelled nature of the cutting ed es.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view illustrating the lower end of the tool asit is about to engage the main.

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 10 showing the relationof the tool to the main after completion of the penetrating operation;and

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view of the mam after removal of the tool.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denotecorresponding parts and first more particularly, FIGURE l, a gas main istherein illustrated and represented by the reference character 10. Themain 10 has a bore 11 and an outer surface 12. A tapping T is referredto in its entirety by the reference character T and is shown as mountedon the outer surface 12 of the main l0.

The tapping T includes a main body portion 13 from which extends a lowerextension 14 and an upper extension 15. Extending outwardly at one sidefrom the mam body portion 13 is a lateral extension 16 that is commonlyknown as the house outlet.

The T may be mounted on the main 10 in any appropriate manner. Presentday practice indicates that welding is the more desirable method. Thus,thelower extension 14 has a bevelled edge at 17 which facilitatesestablishing the welded joint.

The lower extension 14 is formed with a threaded bore at 18 and thisbore is enlarged at 19 at the lower main engaging end. The upper portionis also formed with a threaded bore 20 which is in alignment with thethreaded bore 18 and of the same diameter. A penetrating tool which isreferred to in its entirety by the reference character A is normallythreadedly mounted in the bore 20 in the manner depicted in FIGURE 1.However, the threads of the tool A are adapted for cooperation Wltll thethreaded bore 18 as the tool is moved downwardly in a main enetratin oeration.

The upper ext ens ion 15 is exteriorly threaded at 21 and a cap 22 isscrewed thereonto after the ma n has been tapped and the tool Aretracted into the posltlon of FIG- URE 1.

The lateral extension 16 includes a socket at 23 for receiving a houseconnection in a well known manner.

Referring now more particularly, to FIGURES 2-7, 1nclusive, the tool Ais shown as comprising a main body portion 24. This main body portion 24is exteriorly threaded as indicated at 25 and these threads at 25cooperate with the bores 18 and 20 of the T body. At what might becalled the upper end of the body 24, the latter is formed with ahexagonal socket 26 which is provided for wrench engaging purposes.Thus, with the cap 22 removed, a wrench may be applied to the socket 26and due to the threaded action cause the tool to move downwardly intomain engaging and penetrating position.

At the end of the tool remote from the socket 26, there is an endportion 27 of reduced diameter with a conical shoulder 28 between thisend portion 27 and the mam body portion 24. The end portion 27 is formedwith a socket 29 which in effect provides a tubular construction.However. the tube is not cylindrical but rather is of a noncircularshape such as being ovate with the shape being defined by a minor axisas indicated at 30 and a ma or ax1s at 31 as depicted in FIGURE 5.

Opposite portions bisected by the major axis 31 conslitute spaced lobeswhich are symmetrically arranged and of equal radius measured from theaxis of rotation of the tool, while intervening portions bisected by theminor axis 30 are of slightly lesser radius.

The tubular end portion 29 has an outer tapered wall 32 that terminatesat the free end in cutting edges 33. There are four of these cuttingedges 33 which are defined by notches 34 with a cutting edge 33 at eachside of a notch 34. Upon referring to FIGURE 9 it will be seen that eachedge 33 is bevelled or biased inwardly, that is with the edge proper onthe bore side of the wall. There are of course, four notches 34 andthese notches are preferably located on the axis of the ellipse definingthe ovate shape. At the closed end of the socket 29, there is a radialpassage 36 which establishes communication between the socket and theexterior of the end portion 27. This passage 36 is located on the minoraxis 30 of the ellipse.

The tool A is made from an appropriate tool steel having requiredproperties of yieldability whereby the tubular end portion at 27 isrendered yieldable so that it will deform during the cutting operationand acquire a set about the slug which is cut from the main 10 as shownin FIG- URE 8.

It is also notable that the socket 29 is packed with an appropriatelubricant having a viscosity which causes it to remain in position inthe socket. While this lubricant may be applied to the socket at anytime it will be preferably be done at the site of manufacture.

Operation While the manner of using and mode of operation of the tappingT are believed to be obvious from the illustration of the drawings anddescription of parts given, they are briefly outlined as follows:

The T is mounted on the main 10 by a welded joint at 17 and the cap 22removed. A wrench is now applied to the socket 26 and the tool A isrotated in a proper direction to advance it towards the main 10. As thetool A moves downwardly, the threads 25 engage with the threaded bore18. As this advancing motion is continued, the cuting edges 33 engagethe main 10 and cut thereinto. As this action takes place, the metal ofthe main is caused to flow and move laterally in contrast to an inwardradial displacement. Moreover, as the cutting action is continued, thetapered wall of the tubular end portion 27 deforms and acquires a shapemore closely approaching the circular.

During the initial stages of the cutting operation, lubricant will beextruded through the notches 34 and this lubricant reduces the frictionof the cutting operation.

As the penetrating action continues, the notches 34 become closed. Withthe slug that is cut from the pipe being forced into the socket 29,lubricant therein is entrapped and creates a back pressure that resiststhe entry of the slug which is a piston-like action. .However, this backpressure is relieved by the passage 36 through which the lubricant isextruded.

Due to the outer tapered surface at 32 and the yieldable property of thetool material, the cutting edges 33 are contracted particularly in theareas of the major axis with the ultimate result that these cuttingedges are interlocked with the slug during the final stage of thecutting operation. Moreover, due to the fact that but little of themetal of the main has been forced inwardly but rather is swagedlaterally, the overhanging lip which is inevitably formed on the slug isheld to an absolute minimum and as a matter of fact is no greaterdiameter than is the hole which is formed in the main. Thus, with theslug retained in the socket 29, the tool A may be retracted by rotatingit in a reverse direction and the slug will be withdrawn through theformed aperture in the main.

The retraction of the tool is continued until is assumes the position ofFIGURE 1 within the bore 20 leaving the house outlet open. In thisposition, the tool A functions as a valve or closure for the bore 20.The cap 22 is then restored to the position of FIGURE 1.

tinucd screwing of said tool inwardly, to permit subschole is enlargedto a size larger than said slug by con- Upon referring to FIGURES 10,11, and 12, it will be noted that a thin lip or membrane 37 is formed onthe outside diameter of the main 10. This membrane 3". takes the shapeof a truncated conic section. It is peculiar ly adapted to cooperatewith the conical shoulder 28 on the tool A in functioning as a valveseat. It is to be remembered that the end portion of the tool is oftenleft in the formed hole for protected periods and a good seal againstthe escape of gas is of prime importance.

With the membrane 37 present, only low torque in the tool is required toachieve a good seal.

While a preferred specification embodiment of the invention ishereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that theinvention is not to be limited to the exact construction, materials anddesign illustrated and described because various modifications of. thesedetails may be provided in putting the invention into practice Withinthe purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

[1. In a tapping T, a tool comprising a threaded main body portiondefining an axis of rotation and having Wrench engaging means on one endand a penetrating end portion of reduced diameter at the other end, saidpenetrating end portion being tapered, tubular and of a noncircularshape on the exterior of, a cross section normal to said axis] 2. In atapping T, a tool having a cylindrical threaded main body portiondefining an axis of rotation, wrench engaging means at one end and apenetrating end portion of reduced diameter at the other end, saidpenetrating end portion being tapered, tubular, of a non-circular shapeon the exterior of a cross section normal to the said axis and of ametal that is permanently deformed by the conditions of work to which itis subjected.

3. In a tapping T, a tool comprising a threaded main body portiondefining an axis of rotation and having wrench engaging means on one endand a penetrating end portion of reduced diameter at the other end, saidpenetrating end portion being tapered, tubular and of a noncircularshape on the exterior of a cross section normal to said axis, saidtubular penetrating end portion providing a socket having a free endedge, lubricant in said socket, and a passage spaced from said end edgeestablishing communication between said socket and the exterior of saidend portion.

4. A tapping T comprising a hollow body portion adapted to be secured toa pipe to be tapped and having a threaded bore directed toward the pipe,and a penetrating tool received in said body and having an externallythreaded portion screwed into said threaded bore, wrench engaging meansat the outer end of said tool for rotation of the tool and apipe-penetrating portion of reduced diameter at the inner end of saidtool and terminating in a cutting edge portion, said tool beingrotatable in said body portion to screw said tool inwardly toward a pipeto which said body portion is secured and thereby cut a slug from thewall 0) said pipe to form a hole therein, the pipe-penetrating endportion of said tool being tubular with a cylindrical bore to receivesaid slug and being externally tapered outwardly from said cutting edgeportion to a diameter larger than said slug, said tapered end portionhaving an ovate external cross sectional shape normal to the axis ofrotation of said tool, whereby said qucnt withdrawal of said slugthrough said enlarged holc, raid cutting edge portion being pcrmancmlydcfornmblc by penetration of said pipe wall to interlock with and retainsaid slug, whereby upon subsequent rotation of said tool in the oppositedirection to retract said tool, said slug is retained in said tubularend portion of the tool and is thereby withdrawn from said hole.

5. A tapping T comprising a hollow body portion adapted to be .rccurcdto a pipe to be tapped and having a threaded bore directed toward thepipe, and a penclrating tool received in said body and having onexternally threaded portion screwed into said threaded bore, wrenchengaging means at the outer end of said tool for rotation of the tooland a pipe-penetrating tool portion of reduced diameter at the inner endof said tool and rcrnzinating in a cutting edge portion, said tool bcingro- Ialublc in said body portion to scrcw said tool inwardly toward apipe to whith said body portion is secured and thereby cur a ring fromthe wall of said pipe to form a hole thcrciu, the pipc-pcncrrating endportion of said tool being tubular with a cylindrical bore to rcccivcsaid slug and being cricrnully tapcrcd outwardly from said culling edgeportion to a diameter larger than said slug, .raid mpcrcd end portionhaving an external cross sectional shape normal 10 the axis of rotationof said tool comprising a plurulily spaced, symmetrically arrangedsmooth lobes of equal radius and intcn'vcning portions of slightlylciscr radius measured from said axis of rotation, whereby mid hole isenlarged to a size larger than said slug by continued .rcrcwing of saidtool inwardly, to permit subsequent witlu'irawal of said ring throughsaid enlarged hole, said cutting edge portion being permanentlydcforlnable by pcnciralion of said pipe wall to interlock with andretain said slug, whereby upon subsequent rotation of said tool in theopposite direction to retract said tool, raid slug is retained in saidtubular end portion of the tool and is zhcrcby withdrawn from raid hole.

6. A tripping T according to claim 5, in which said curling edge portionis formed with norchcr dividing said curling edge portion inlo aplurality of cutting crlgcr.

7. A tapping T according to claim 5, further comprisiug means forlubricating the external surface of said tupcrcd end portion of saidtool during pcnclration of said pipe.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are ofrecord in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 175,812 4/1876 Young et al.

464,252 1/1891 Knoepfel et al. 1,020,302 3/1912 MctL 1,664,796 4/1928Spangle. 2,083,476 6/1937 Rossin. 2,947,206 8/1960 Flanagan. 2,990,7314/1961 Merrill ct al.

FOREIGN PATENTS 77,049 7/ 1919 Austria. 837,399 6/1960 Great Britain.

WILLIAM \V. DYER, J R., Primary Examiner.

G. A. DOST, Assistant Examiner.

